Ayden was already in the kitchen by the time Brandy grabbed the steaming plate out of the microwave and placed it on the counter.
“Another rough night with the two-dinner thing?” Ayden laughed as he grabbed the plate from Brandy.
Oh my God! He didn’t just say that, did he?
Brandy gripped the plate tightly, not releasing it to Ayden. He didn’t even realize what he’d just implied as he continued to pull on the plate.
“What do you mean another two-dinner night?” Brandy asked, her brow arched. “How would you know about that?”
Ayden’s expression turned completely playful while mine turned beet red. It felt like my cheeks were on fire.
“Can I have the plate?” he asked, tugging both the plate and Brandy toward him.
“Not until you tell me what other time you’ve experienced Lily’s two-dinner number?” Brandy scowled, and I just stared at my own plate of enchiladas, refusing to look at her.
“I didn’t experience it,” he laughed. “I just heard about it.”
“Liar.” I felt Brandy’s eyes on me, and then the next thing I knew I was giggling uncontrollably.
Ayden let go of the plate Brandy was gripping and sauntered over to where I was laughing and sat next to me, picking up my fork and digging in.
“You were the one who told her?” Brandy asked, setting the plate on the counter. “Traitor. An absolute traitor. And I thought you were the trustworthy brother. I never guessed it was you. Never thought for a moment.”
I could see the mischief in her eyes as she reprimanded her brother, and all I could think about was my vanishing enchilada.
“When did this happen?” Her lips were puckered, trying not to laugh as she pestered her brother for answers.
“I’m pleading the fifth,” he said, finally relinquishing my fork.
“You owe me at least half of your enchilada,” I said, watching him move swiftly into the kitchen to steal the plate from his sister who was now far too curious to care.
“That weekend I was in Portland,” Ayden said.
“One of those better be for me. These are to die for,” I said, smiling, avoiding the topic of conversation at all costs.
“I feel out of the loop, and I hate feeling out of the loop,” Brandy said, turning to face her brother.
“There’s no loop. There’s no story. I learned two things that night about Lily. One, if she’s having a bad day, she’s a two dinner girl. And two, wine and whisky is an interesting combo for her. That’s it. End of story.”
I froze at his admission and Brandy slowly turned toward me. Ayden couldn’t hide his smile, and I suddenly saw why Brandy always had the urge to slug him.
“You needed a two-dinner night when you found out about our plan to hook you up with Austin?” Gabby asked, her voice completely sympathetic.
“No. I needed it before then,” I assured her. “Ayden showed up the night I had my awful date with Rob.”
“Well, that makes me feel a hundred percent better. I didn’t want to be responsible for one of those,” Brandy laughed.
“No. You were responsible for the two-breakfast morning the next day. Ayden had to go all over town to find eggs benedict for me,” I teased.
Brandy’s eyes looked like they were about to fall out of her head when Gabby started cracking up. It was Ayden’s turn to be frozen in position and I loved every second of it.
“Kidding,” I chided.
“I don’t think you deserve one of these,” Ayden joked, moving his plate away.
“I think she deserves as many as she wants after that one,” Gabby said, applauding my work. “It’s hard to make Brandy hyperventilate like that.”
I glanced at Ayden and noticed his gaze was on me, and there was something behind it that I recognized from that night. He walked over to where I was sitting, and I felt a current between us again. I shifted away slightly at the thought of what it could mean or what I wanted it to mean.
But then my mouth betrayed me.
“By the way, your observation about me and whisky and wine is incorrect. It did diddley tonight,” I whispered, as Brandy and Gabby started hauling out the chips and dip.
His eyes fastened on mine and a charge ran down my spine. “What were you expecting the combo to do tonight, Lily?” His voice rumbled its way through me and I had to catch my breath.
“I wanted it to do that,” I mumbled.
“What?”
“You know what,” I breathed.
“No. I really don’t.”
Brandy turned around and plopped a bowl of chips on the island as Jason, Aaron, and Mason came into the kitchen.
“What was the hoopla about?” Mason asked, leaning in between Ayden and me.
“I found out who can’t keep a secret,” Brandy said.
“So who’s your favorite brother now?” Mason grabbed a chip and crunched right next to my ear.
“Obviously you are,” Brandy teased.
“Then my work here is done,” Mason said.
“When’s Sammie getting in tomorrow?” Gabby asked. Her eyes steadied on mine, and I flashed her a return smile.
“Can’t remember,” Ayden said, shrugging his shoulders.
“You can’t remember?” I asked.
“Afternoon or something,” he replied, avoiding my gaze.
Mason placed his hand on my shoulder and started to speak, “I thought—”
“So are we ready for Operation Ice Cube?” Ayden asked, interrupting his brother.
I looked at Brandy and Gabby just as Aaron and Jason scooped them both up. I started laughing, but the next thing I knew, Ayden had me locked in his arms as Mason ran to the sliding glass doors and opened them up.
“Where are you taking us?” Gabby squealed, pounding on Jason.
“Let me go,” Brandy seconded.
I was wriggling and shifting so violently in Ayden’s clutch, I wasn’t even sure how I remained secured so tightly in his arms.
“You better not,” I screamed, as I watched Mason peel back the hot tub cover.
“Or what,” Ayden murmured.
My head and hands rested on his chest as I felt everything go into slow motion. First Jason plopped Gabby into the steaming hot tub, and then Aaron did the same. Just as Ayden dangled me over the water, I reached my arms around his neck and held on tightly, bringing the front of him into the hot tub too. As soon as my body hit the warm water, I let go. But it was too late, Mason, Jason and Aaron had already pushed him in and we were all dying of laughter.
“Is that all you’ve got?” I shouted.
Brandy, Gabby and I huddled in the far corner, splashing water on the fully clothed men, drenching them completely.
“I do declare, we are the winners,” Brandy feigned, placing her hand against her forehead.
Ayden stood up in the hot tub, and his clothes clung to his body as he crawled out of the water. My heart literally skipped a beat as his eyes met mine, and all I could do was look away as the guys delivered our towels.
I had just finished braiding my hair and was dressed for a day on the mountain when I heard the hum of a coffee grinder down the hall. I hoped whoever was out there would be making enough for more than one. Austin was going to be here any second, and I’d love to get some caffeine streaming though me before I left the house. Reaching for my knit cap, I pulled it on my head before trundling down the hall to a wall of closed bedroom doors. We were all up really late after the hot tub incident and I’d be sleeping too, if I didn’t already have plans. The smell of coffee brewing led me into the kitchen, where Ayden was standing. He had his back turned toward me as he faced the kitchen window.
Damn him!
He was dressed in a loose pair of green, plaid pajama bottoms that hung low around his waist, and he had no shirt on. My eyes slid along the length of his long, lean back, stumbling across every muscle, every curve of his body. He turned on the water and rinsed his hands while I stood staring. I wanted to quietly sneak back to wher
e I came from—the safety of my bedroom—but my feet wouldn’t cooperate. My breath caught as he turned around, his eyes running along the length of me. He didn’t smile. Instead, his gaze lingered on my mouth, creating a lightning bolt of confusion in my chest.
That was the problem with Ayden lately; everything around him caused me to feel sensations that were far too powerful to be real. And they were all extremes.
“Coffee?” I barked, attempting to break my gaze from his chest.
A faint smile traced his lips as he reached for an empty mug and poured me a cup of the steaming brew.
“Rough night?” he asked, as he handed me the mug of liquid.
“No. Why would you ask that?”
“You seem a little skittish…so when’s your lover boy gonna be here.” He took a sip of his coffee, as a smirk landed on his face. It was like he was taunting me, pushing my buttons to get a rise out of me, and I had no idea why.
“He’s not my lover boy and there’s a lot more to him, to his story, than I care to tell you about.”
“Why’s that? Afraid I won’t approve?” His brows quirked up slightly.
“Since when have I ever wanted or cared about getting your approval?” The liquid stung my lips as I took a sip, but I didn’t let the pain show.
Ayden shrugged and leaned against the counter, allowing his torso to stretch…which inadvertently lowered his pajamas…which made my eyes dip as I followed along his abdomen to where the elastic met the fabric. It was totally not my fault.
“You. Are. Trouble,” I mumbled, as I heard his laughter from across the kitchen.
There was a knock at the door, and I spun around excited to see Austin and start my day in the snow.
“Have fun with Austin,” Ayden called.
“Same to you about what’s her face.”
I opened the door and my breath caught at the sight of Austin.
His snowboard pants and coat covered up most of his body, but there was something in his eyes that startled me, an intensity I didn’t recognize from the night before. His wavy hair hung loosely under his cap, flipping up on the edges.
“You look beautiful,” he said, kissing my cheek.
A pulse of joy settled over me as I felt his gaze on me, and I quickly closed the door behind me, ready for my day with Austin, a day I’d been waiting years for.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.”
He handed me a lily and grinned. “Sorry for being an ass last night. I did tell the florist to use lilies, and I don’t know why I lied about it. It wasn’t her idea. It was mine.” His board was propped on his shoulder. “I guess I just didn’t know which side I wanted to show you.”
“How many do you have?” I laughed, as I followed him back down the steps toward the lifts.
“Enough.” He held out his free hand and I took it in mine, glove to glove.
“Well, I think I like this one you settled on,” I confessed as we walked along the snowy path. “Do you suggest I go snowboarding or skiing?”
“Have you ever tried snowboarding?” he asked.
“Yes, but it is more of a sitting-down endeavor where I turn my snowboard into a sled to make it down the mountain.”
His laughter churned the familiar longing I’d held onto for so many years, and I glanced at him, at his smile.
“Have you ever had lessons?” he asked.
“No. I’m self-taught, which is why I’m a master at it.”
“How about I teach you today?” Austin’s eyes flicked to mine as we stood in front of the rentals. “I bet it’ll only take a few key pointers, and you’ll be sailing upright down the mountain.”
“I hope you’re right,” I said, nodding. “But I’m game.”
I started toward the building, but Austin slammed his board into the snow and anchored me next to his equipment. “I’ve got this. Just keep an eye on my board.”
“Thanks.”
I watched Austin trudge through the snow and into the rental building as I let my mind wander. Would I be able to make it down the mountain in one piece? I dug my phone out of my jacket and quickly texted Gabby.
He’s teaching me how to snowboard.
It didn’t take long to receive a reply that made me laugh.
Are you nuts? People our age don’t just decide to show off their snowboarding skills on a date.
I smiled as I typed my reply.
Since when did we hit the age of eighty? I’ll be fine! I’ve wanted to get the hang of this for a while. And I am a snowboarder! I even have my own board at home. xx
She replied back.
I forgot to ask if you were doing dinner with him tonight?
I bristled a little at the question. Not because of the question but because of my answer.
No. He’s got a meeting.
I got another quick response.
Sweet. You’re ours tonight then!
Followed by another one.
I’m taking my girlfriend back from you.
Go have fun with Austin and quit texting…Jason
That was the Jason I knew and the one I loved. Whatever was going on between them or with him couldn’t be anything bad. There was no way. But the way he snapped last night at Gabby was so unusual. I slipped my phone back in my pocket and fought down the tinge of worry that threatened to destroy my perfect image of those two.
“Got you a hot chocolate,” Austin’s voice warmed me up immediately, and I quickly forgot what I was worrying about.
“Thank you,” I said, taking the cup from him. “I protected your board. No one even dared look in my direction.”
I reached for the boots he was holding, and he motioned for the bench a few feet away. “I can put your snow boots in the locker.”
“Thanks.” I untied one pair of boots and swapped them out for the other. Austin jogged back toward the building to lock up my snow boots, while I tightened everything up and readied myself for a day full of bruises and more bruises.
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and it seemed like the perfect day to hit the slopes, especially with the fresh coat of snow the mountain got last night.
“Ready?” he asked, his eyes filled with anticipation and something else I didn’t want to get my hopes up for.
Austin grabbed both our boards and took off toward the ski lift.
“You don’t have to do that,” I called.
“You need to save your energy for everything I’ve got in mind for you.”
My mouth fell open as we strapped ourselves onto the boards.
“That came out wrong,” he laughed.
“That’s too bad,” I teased, looking up quickly. He was less than a foot away from me, but it felt far closer as our eyes locked.
“Is it?” His expression darkened, and I immediately realized the connection we once shared was accessible. It still existed if I let it.
“So my job today is to make sure you get down the mountain—”
“Alive?” I interrupted.
“Well, for starters. Alive would be good, but I was thinking that if by the end of the day, the lily is still intact then my job’s complete.”
“How about this? If the lily stays intact, I owe you dinner. If it falls apart because of faulty teaching techniques, you owe me dinner?” I challenged.
“Dinner tomorrow night?” he asked.
“Yup.”
“Sounds like there’s no real loser in this deal,” he replied, a grin surfacing on his lips, as we took a moment to adjust everything and get situated before we loaded onto the ski lift.
He took the lily from my gloved hand and unzipped my ski jacket.
“You’ll crush it,” I protested, as he gently placed the stem along my chest, the bloom poking out.
He zipped up my jacket, allowing the blossom to peek out.
“Nah, it’ll be fine as long as you don’t fall flat on your face.”
“No promises,” I muttered, following him toward the lift.
The ski lift operator motioned f
or us to take a seat on the next lift so we quickly walked over, dragging our boards with one foot attached, and waited for the bench to bump the back of our legs, signaling us to take a seat. The lift swayed gently as we took off toward the top of the mountain, leaving the village behind.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, looking at the snow-tipped trees as our lift sailed us up the mountain.
“It is.”
I felt his gaze on me as I continued to look below, and I felt the same shyness from last night return.
“You doing okay?” he asked, his gloved finger touching my cheek to get my attention.
“Totally. It’s just so peaceful here and that’s exactly what I need right now.” I turned to look at Austin and noticed his blue eyes taking me in. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you told me.”
“About what in particular?”
“My parents. My family.” I bit my lip and looked over his shoulder as the bench wobbled slightly. “They’ve disappointed me so often in life that I’ve come to expect it. But hurting people outside of our own family is just so wrong.”
“Politics is a nasty business.”
I laughed, “Is it really supposed to be a business though? What happened to that whole public servant thing?”
“Well, that went by the wayside a long time ago.” He placed his hand on my knee as our lift continued to usher us up the mountain, and I felt the importance of our history finally present itself. I took a sip of the hot chocolate and welcomed the warm drink. “Don’t blame yourself for their behavior.”
“It makes me question everything about my father. If he’s willing to play that dirty just to remain a mayor of some tiny town, what would he be willing to do for money, for his business?”
Beyond Reason (Beyond Love Series #3) Page 12
